National report card shows Australians living longer - see how you compare

Australians are living longer, are healthier and better educated than a decade ago, according to a snapshot released by the Bureau of Statistics.

The Measures of Australian Progress report is broken up into four areas: society, economy, governance and environment. It has found a nation in good shape in most areas.

In the 10 years to 2011, life expectancy at birth has improved by 2.7 years for males and 1.8 years for females.

Based on current mortality rates, a male born in 2010–11 can expect to live 79.7 years, while a female can expect to live 84.2 years. Over the decade, male life expectancy increased more than female life expectancy - 2.7 compared with 1.8 years.

A child born today has a life expectancy about 10 years greater than one born in 1971.

ABS director Fiona Dowsley says it is a great result that Australia has more progress than regress.

"Progress was found in the areas of health, learning and knowledge, jobs, living standards and participation," Ms Dowsley said. "We have only regressed in the areas of our economy's resilience and sustaining the environment."

Managing the environment sustainably has regressed

Australia has gone backwards in terms of the overall economy and sustaining the environment.

'Average Australian' happy with progress despite some concerns

Narelle Moodie, 36, is statistically the average Australian and she says having secure housing and a job is vital.

"I'm really happy with the way my life is going. Life is definitely different now than it was 10 years ago when I didn't have a house and a husband. I think overall life is pretty good," she said.

But when it comes to climate change Ms Moodie says she worries for her children's generation.

"I think that for a lot of people [climate change] is not front and centre. People do forget about it but you do worry about what we're doing to the planet," she said.

Ms Moodie is currently on maternity leave and works as a nurse two days a week. She says she is happy with the health system in Australia.

"We have a pretty good public health sector. I know a lot of people complain about it and think that we don't but I really think you can go to a lot of other countries and unless you can afford treatment you don't get treated," she said.